Lawmaker says Question 3 could leave Maryland races ‘uncompetitive forever’

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Maryland voters’ approval of Question 3 could make the state’s congressional races less competitive for years to come, according to a Republican lawmaker who challenged the measure before it appeared on the ballot.

The constitutional amendment changes the state’s rules for congressional redistricting, but when a new map is drawn remains an unanswered question.

“This is all about making Maryland’s maps totally uncompetitive forever,” Sen. Chris West said in an interview with FOX45 News. “Making maps competitive means candidates have a chance of winning.”

West argued the amendment gives Democrats too much power over Maryland’s congressional district, and said Democrats will have “unconstrained ability to engage in gerrymandering on steroids.”

He predicted a new map could leave Republicans and independent candidates with little chance of winning seats.

West said lawmakers could begin revising the map as soon as next year, potentially putting it in place for the 2028 election. Gov. Wes Moore, who pushed for the measure and spent campaign cash on urging people to ‘vote yes on 3,’ said his position hasn’t changed and is eager to work with the General Assembly to move forward.

“I think the message to the entire General Assembly is I’m ready to work together and engage, because we are very clear that Donald Trump is not stopping,” Moore said Wednesday. “We hear loud and clear what the courts have said, and that I think we need to make sure that we are meeting this moment. And my position on that is not going to change.”

Gov. Moore and other supporters have said the effort is about making Maryland’s maps fair and competitive, not only about the state’s 1st Congressional District, currently represented by Republican Andy Harris.

Asked about that argument, West said, “No, it’s the reverse of reality. Making maps competitive means candidates have a chance of winning.” He predicted that Democrats could draw districts so that “no Republican or independent has a chance of winning.”

The House of Delegates passed a proposed new congressional map earlier this year, but it stalled in the Senate. Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Baltimore City Democrat, had opposed mid-cycle redistricting and since Question 3 passed, has yet to commit to taking up a new map next session.

Ferguson said in a statement that he was pleased Question 3’s passage provides “clear legal standards for redistricting.” He said he would discuss next steps with Senate colleagues and other state leaders, and that lawmakers would consider the outcomes of mid-cycle redistricting efforts in other states.

“Regardless, lowering costs, growing our economy, and protecting programs Marylanders rely on will remain our top priorities,” Ferguson said.

West said waiting until after the next census – in 2030 – would be a more typical approach to redistricting, and doing so sooner may surprise voters.

“Their explanation was it was a pushback against Trump,” West said. “But the first election that could apply is 2028. Trump’s history in 2028. He leaves the White House. He can never run again.”

As other states jumped into the mid-cycle redistricting race in 2025, Sen. Ferguson sent a memo to the Senate Democratic Caucus warning against doing the same. He argued redrawing the districts now came at too big of a legal and political risk for Democrats in Maryland.

However, the Senate President softened his stance on the issue following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling involving the Voting Rights Act. Lawmakers returned to Annapolis in August for a special session to draft the constitutional amendment proposal and put the issue before voters.

West said he respects Ferguson, whom he described as a “very good personal friend,” but disagreed with his position on the measure. West said Ferguson had been “led astray” by Democratic activists who wanted a new map, particularly one that could impact Harris’ district on the Eastern Shore.

Roger Hartley, a professor of public and international affairs at the University of Baltimore, said the results of redistricting efforts elsewhere could factor into lawmakers’ decision. Republican attempts in states such as Texas and North Carolina to gain seats through redistricting failed and, Hartley said, backfired.

Hartley said a new Maryland map could also backfire by creating two or three districts more competitive for Republicans. He said the issue may lose prominence as the 2028 election approaches and voters focus on other concerns.

“I’m not sure they’ll do it, but maybe they will,” Hartley said.

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